Extraordinary Creatives

Ceri interviews artist Tim A. Shaw, co-founder of the Hospital Rooms charity that focuses on arts and mental health. During the interview, Tim talks about his journey as an artist and how his work has transformed inpatient mental health units. He shares the challenges and rewards of collaborating with artists in these settings, emphasising the importance of selecting those who can see the potential in these spaces. Tim also reflects on the emotional and psychological impacts of working in such contexts and the support provided to artists. He shares insights into the motivation behind starting Hospital Rooms and the process of convincing hospitals to collaborate. Tim's passion for art and mental health shines through as he discusses the power of creativity to bring hope and change to individuals in these challenging environments.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Hospital Rooms is an arts and mental health charity that commissions artists to transform inpatient mental health units. They also run workshops and a digital art school.
2. The selection of artists for projects is based on their ability to create stimulating and thought-provoking work, as well as their willingness to problem-solve and adapt to the unique challenges of working in mental health settings.
3. Working in mental health settings can be emotionally and psychologically challenging for artists. Hospital Rooms provides support and creates a safe environment for artists to navigate these challenges.
4. The organisation uses creative methods for gathering feedback and evaluation, such as visual matrix workshops and non-traditional feedback forms, to ensure a more engaging and meaningful process.
5. Tim A. Shaw, the artist and co-founder of Hospital Rooms, has transitioned from creating large-scale installations to smaller, more intimate paintings. His work often explores themes of mental health and parenthood

BEST MOMENTS

1. "We commission extraordinary artists to transform inpatient mental health units around the country."
2. "We're very present on a working ward for a number of months… our team are really amazing at making the artists feel safe while also making their best work."
3. "I think most of us have… been sectioned… so going into an inpatient ward that might be very similar to the one that they were in, or they visited someone in, can be very challenging and quite triggering."
4. "I think the work we do in Hospital Rooms, we feel like we have a responsibility for some of that work to be quite transformative, to really change the way you think and feel when you're in that space."
5. "You know, everyone can experience it and we should all have the right to experience it. And, you know, the service users we work with, there's so many creative ways of thinking."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

In this episode of the Extraordinary Creatives Podcast, Ceri Hand speaks with visionary artist Jenkin van Zyl about his journey from suburban life to the vibrant club and squat party culture of London. Jenkin is a multi-talented artist who creates immersive worlds that challenge binary oppositions and celebrate otherness. He shares the challenges he has faced in funding and managing large-scale projects, and offers valuable advice to emerging artists. He also talks about his experience exhibiting at the prestigious Hayward Gallery and how artists can embrace their unique worldview to live differently. Jenkin's new project explores the intersection of fantasy, horror, and contemporary politics. This inspiring conversation is not to be missed!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Jenkin van Zyl describes his style as a fusion of artistry and intensity, drawing inspiration from theatrical ballet and horror elements.

2. Jenkin's creative journey started in London squat parties and queer club culture, where he explored and expressed complex ideas about masculinity and identity through unique costuming.

3. Jenkin emphasizes the importance of discovering your authentic voice and surrounding yourself with honest, supportive confidants who can provide straightforward guidance.

4. Jenkin's work is characterized by its expansive creativity, incorporating filmmaking, sculptural works, drawings, performance, and writing, often presented in installation and world-building contexts.

5. Jenkin faces challenges in funding and developing the scale of his projects, as well as balancing the multifaceted demands of being an artist, including project management, marketing, and navigating the art industry's underfunding and limited resources.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I describe myself as a filmmaker, but that kind of inevitably spills out into kind of sculptural works, drawings, performance, writing."

2. "I think there is a sense of otherness that is applied onto queer bodies and the otherness of monsters that has been emphasised over the years, I think is interesting."

3. "I think it's about having kind of confidence in your worldview and nurturing the parts of that that are like super unique and necessary."

4. "I think it's about going and making sure that I was doing as much stuff that had like physical material to kind of refresh and recharge."

5. "I think it's really important at points in the work that we make to kind of not focus on the overwhelming state of crisis, but to apply CPR to the embers of things that are really important to salvage the world of humanity."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

Ceri welcomes Beth Bate, Director of the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre in Scotland. Beth shares her inspiring story of overcoming childhood bullying to find her place in the arts world. Beth shares the importance of finding your tribe, or surrounding yourself with people who appreciate your uniqueness. Beth's leadership in championing diversity and inclusion is admirable, and she is helping other creatives thrive. Reminder to embrace your creativity and chart your own path. If you're looking for some inspiration, Beth has it all!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Overcoming challenges: Beth's journey from childhood bullying and health challenges to thriving in the arts is a testament to endurance and resilience.

2. Finding your champions: Beth emphasizes the importance of finding a community of people who support and champion your creative endeavors, whether it's through youth theater or professional networks.

3. Embracing your inner spark: Beth encourages embracing your unique identity and expressing yourself authentically, even if it means standing out from the mainstream.

4. Learning from impactful mentors: Beth highlights the influence of mentors like Mark Ball and Sylvia King, who taught her about leadership, community engagement, and the power of creating meaningful connections.

5. Saying no and setting boundaries: Beth mentions the importance of recognizing your strengths and weaknesses and surrounding yourself with a team that complements your skills. She also emphasizes the need to make tough decisions, even if they are unpopular, in order to create a positive and effective work environment.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "There was something in being able to recognize your community and recognize who your supporters are."

2. "I think being involved in arts and culture in whatever form, there's so many ways to do that, your theatre is just but one."

3. "I think there is something about being attracted and drawn to things which were perhaps slightly outside of the mainstream."

4. "I learned an enormous amount from Mark in terms of taking huge responsibility for the voice and the power and the role that you can have."

5. "There is something remarkable about creating connection and being radical in all of its senses, but also about thinking about having fun, thinking about how we create a fun community that does brilliant things together."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

If you're looking for some creative inspiration, today's guest John Marchant shares his unique journey as a curator, gallerist, and artist collaborator. He's worked with some big names in the industry, such as Body Map and Jamie Reid, and he discusses how he balances the artist's vision with the expectations of galleries and audiences. John also talks about his current project, a large-scale installation in a field that combines art, spirituality, and a political message. His story is all about curiosity, resilience, and the transformative power of art. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Embrace opportunities: John's pivotal moment came when he saw a spread of photographs in a magazine that inspired him to pursue a different path. He encourages others to seize opportunities, even if they seem unconventional or risky.

2. Curiosity and openness: John's curiosity led him to work with a diverse range of artists and explore different creative scenes. He was drawn to politically active artists and those who pushed boundaries, allowing him to learn and grow in his role as a curator.

3. Navigating different perspectives: As a curator, John had to navigate the space between the artist's vision and the expectations of funders and galleries. He learned to wear different hats and see from multiple perspectives to create cohesive and meaningful exhibitions.

4. Demand the impossible: Jamie Reid's iconic artwork often carried political messages and challenged the status quo. John learned the power of demanding the impossible and pushing boundaries through art, which resonated with audiences and sparked conversations.

5. Resilience and adaptability: John's experiences, from working in construction to curating exhibitions, taught him resilience and adaptability. He learned to navigate challenging situations, work with limited resources, and find creative solutions to bring artists' visions to life.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I opened a very, very early copy of ID magazine…this massive thing was clanging in my head saying, you do not have to conform to what you're being raised for."

2. "Jamie Reid…the artwork for the Pistols was actually a political action in itself."

3. "Demand the impossible…people love that still."

4. "We proposed this thing with a whole series of festivals around the year…and they said, Yeah, we'll do that. That seems great."

5. "We're standing there in this field with the local chapter of the Druid Order, kids brought in by the Sensory Trust, various people…that was one of the maddest things that we actually did together."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

Ceri Hand interviews Sue about her creative journey, from her humble beginnings in a non-artistic family to her fascination with LSD and Americana. Sue's unwavering passion and unique approach to art have led her to remarkable success despite facing rejection. She also shares the hilarious story of how Charles Saatchi purchased her work. Sue's authenticity and determination to follow her own path serve as an inspiration for anyone seeking a meaningful creative life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Sue Webster's creative journey was not initially encouraged or supported by her family. Despite this, she pursued her passion for art and found her own unique path.

2. LSD played a significant role in expanding Sue's creativity and opening her mind to new possibilities. It instilled in her the confidence to explore different mediums and techniques in her artwork.

3. Sue's collaboration with Tim Noble, her future husband, was born out of their shared interest in pushing the boundaries of art. They experimented with assemblages made from found objects and developed their own DIY aesthetic.

4. Sue's obsession with Americana and customization influenced her artwork, particularly in her use of chrome, flashing lights, and references to 1950s design. She drew inspiration from car shows and the visual impact of hot rods.

5. Moving to Bradford and later Halifax provided Sue with affordable studio spaces and opportunities to exhibit her work. These experiences in the art community helped shape her confidence and determination to push the boundaries of her creativity.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I guess I always considered it to be a burden, having this sort of creative part of you that you have to exercise a demon I guess you have to get some stuff out your system and it was never encouraged when I grew up."

2. "I was very much drawn together on that. And then once we graduated, there was somebody came along, you know, and said, oh, I've got a studio complex up in Bradford in Yorkshire, which I'm opening up and I'm looking, I can give you a free studio if you want to move up."

3. "I just thought, God, I don't want to be one of them people. I just want to leave." 

4. "I was very lucky and had a massive space and then Tim moved down to sculpture not long afterwards and there was no room so he just had a curtain under the stairs."

5. "I just thought, you know what, I'm going to move from painting to sculpture department as soon as I can, and you know, I went first."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

How do we know when our life calls for profound change? Ceri Hand’s journey of resilience and transformation began in the aftermath of a life-altering brush with death. In this episode, Ceri shares her empowering story of overcoming a relentless storm of challenges and rediscovering herself, highlighting the transformative power of self-care along the way. Hear how Ceri made the difficult decision to leave behind a job she loved in search of a more balanced life, embarking on a journey of deep reflection, courage, and self-discovery.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Prioritising self-care and setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling creative life. Ceri's wake-up call incident served as a reminder to take care of ourselves and make necessary changes.
2. Mentoring and coaching can be powerful tools for overcoming fears and challenges, making progress in creative endeavours, and achieving personal and professional goals. Ceri's experience as a Creative Coach showed the positive impact it had on their clients' lives.
3. Addressing negative and limiting beliefs is essential for unlocking creative potential. By managing thoughts and developing a positive mindset, creatives can experience more freedom and opportunities.
4. Being in service to others and building a supportive creative community can lead to personal growth and empowerment. 
5. Creativity is a key factor in achieving success and making a meaningful impact in the world. The podcast aims to inspire listeners to embrace their creativity, be adventurous, create brilliant work, and connect with others.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I was lucky. Another 30 seconds and the train might have sped off, ending my life."
2. "It wasn't just about changing jobs or cities. It was about changing myself."
3. "Feeling like we're alone, we're an outsider, like we don't belong, don't deserve success, don't understand the rules and don't know who our tribe is, are common thoughts for creatives."
4. "I learned how to develop a positive mindset that would enable more creative freedom and opportunities."
5. "At the core of this podcast lies the belief that creativity is the key to success."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering artists and creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the contemporary arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand